Priest Abuse

A former priest with the Diocese of Winona has admited he sexually abused at least a dozen children.

Thomas Adamson, who now lives in Rochester, is at the center of a lawsuit against church officials in the Twin Cities and the Diocese of Winona.

Adamson admited sexually abusing at least 12 teens from the 1960's to the mid 1980's, including in Caledonia, Albert Lea and Rochester. But because the statute of limitations has run out, he cannot be prosecuted for the crimes.

In a deposition, Adamson said he believes of what he did as a sin rather than a crime and he doesn't think he should've spent time in jail.

He was removed from ministry in 1985 and defrocked in 2009. The Diocese of Winona still pays Adamson a monthly pension of $1,650 and pays his health insurance premium......